At the heart of a school, a simple question from a student, “What is love?”, ignites a deep exploration. Through a hands-on activity, children venture through the schoolyard, each with their own interpretation of love. Amidst flowers, butterflies and little birds, one girl stands out, teaching us that true love extends beyond possession. Her choice invites us to ponder the essence of love, found in respect and liberation, not in the tangible.
True Love: Lessons from Children on Care and Respect
Often, the simplest questions can trigger profound reflections. In a school, surrounded by the hustle of laughter and play, a query arose from the curiosity of a young student: “Teacher, what is love?”.
The seriousness and depth of this question prompted the educator to consider a response worthy of such a query.
To tackle this complex subject, she decided to conduct a practical exercise. It was recess time, so she instructed her students to explore the schoolyard and collect any object that, to them, evoked the feeling of love. This task, seemingly straightforward, held a greater challenge than one might anticipate.
One by one, the students returned to the classroom, proudly presenting their findings. One showed a beautiful flower, admiring its beauty. Another brought back a butterfly, highlighting the chromatic play of its wings. A third student introduced a small bird that had fallen from its nest, emphasizing its vulnerability and tenderness.
However, at the end of this showcase, the teacher noticed one girl without an object, who seemed uneasy and embarrassed. When questioned about her choice, the little girl revealed a unique and profound perspective.
Instead of plucking the flower and depriving it of life, she decided to leave it in place, allowing its fragrance to linger longer. She observed the butterfly but chose not to restrict its freedom, letting it fly lightly. She found the fallen bird but, seeing the worried look of its mother, decided to return it to its home.
This student, unknowingly, had captured the essence of true love: a feeling that transcends possession and manifests in acts of respect, care and liberation.
She brought back no tangible objects to the classroom, but experiences and sensations: the fresh aroma of a flower, the freedom of a butterfly and the gratitude reflected in the gaze of a mother bird.
Is This Not What Truly Symbolizes Love?
Moved by the girl’s response, the teacher recognized that she had understood something fundamental: love cannot be captured or confined, it can only be felt and lived in the heart.
Through this exercise, everyone present, including the teacher, learned a valuable lesson. Love does not always manifest in obvious actions or tangible possessions; often, it is found in small gestures, in empathy and in respect for all that surrounds us.
The story of a simple school question leads us on a revealing journey about love. Through the eyes of children, we learn that love transcends possession and is found in freedom, care and respect.
This lesson, manifested by the conscious choice of a girl, reminds us that true love resides in the smallest details and in selfless actions. It challenges us to reconsider our perception of love and to seek it in the everyday gestures of empathy and care.
